Lanier, the wife of former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier, told county and port officials via email Friday that she would step down from her position immediately to spend more time with family.

Her two-year term expired on Nov. 20.

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I have had these past six years to serve our community," Lanier wrote. "I am proud to say I have been part of the Port of Houston Authority, and I thank their amazing staff and leadership for all their hard work. However, the time has come for me to spend more time with my family, and so I am stepping down."

Lanier did not respond to requests for comment. She has been absent from several of the commission's regular meetings in recent months, including one on Tuesday.

A spokesman for County Judge Ed Emmett said he would have no comment on the resignation until Monday.

'Good commissioner'

Precinct 2 County Commissioner Jack Morman said in a statement that Lanier had "accomplished numerous reforms during the last two years."

Morman's chief of staff, Dave Walden, was a top aide for Bob Lanier when he was mayor.

"I personally value Elyse's service and openness and hope she continues her public service efforts in another forum at an appropriate time for her and her family," Morman said.

Calls to other county commissioners late Friday were not immediately returned.

Port Commissioner Janiece Longoria said via text message that Lanier "worked for the best interest of the port. Her colleagues on the commission will miss her."

Leonard Waterworth, the authority's new executive director, said official comment should be reserved for the county as the appointing body, but called Lanier a "good commissioner" who was "helpful to me in my transition."

"She's been very good for the port and it saddens me that she's taken this action," Waterworth said.

Lanier praised Waterworth in her email, saying he "has helped to further stabilize our organization."

Expenditures cut

In her email, Lanier said the authority has "increased transparency, improved compliance with open records and are recording our meetings," since her tenure began. "We have reduced our promotional expenditures by 25 percent. We have a fuller participation by all commission members and have improved the flow of information between staff and commissioners, thanks to the restoration of task forces."

The Port Authority governing board consists of seven members, two each appointed by the city of Houston and Harris County, one appointed by the city of Pasadena and one appointed by the Harris County Mayors' and Councils' Association. The board chair is a city-county appointment.

Late Friday, the county posted notice that Commissioners Court will meet in closed session Tuesday to discuss the possible appointment of retired Col. John Kennedy, former Nassau Bay city manager, to fill Lanier's seat.

Morman and Commissioner Steve Radack tried to appoint Kennedy to the commission in June to replace longtime port commissioner Jim Fonteno Jr., but fell short in a rare 3-2 vote on Commissioners Court. Fonteno was reappointed